{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00323","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00323-0","petitioner_identifier":"Marcie Unrue","is_minor":0,"age_at_vaccination":null,"age_unit_raw":"adult (exact age not stated in public source)","vaccine_type":"tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap)","vaccination_date":"2017-05-06","condition_raw":"transverse myelitis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD)","condition_category":"transverse_myelitis","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"denied","award_amount_usd":null,"decision_date":"2025-12-04","extraction_version":"manual-supplement-redo-2026-05-normal32","extracted_at":"2026-05-04 18:47:15","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":14,"theory_of_causation":"Tdap vaccine May 6, 2017 causing alleged transverse myelitis/NMOSD; adult exact age not stated. DENIED. Onset about 14 days later with numbness from chest down and urinary incontinence; MRI supported TM; treated with steroids/plasmapheresis; later NMOSD flares treated with CellCept, plasmapheresis, rituximab. Petitioner expert Dr. Fredrick Nahm proposed immune/molecular mimicry mechanism; respondent experts Dr. Marc Bouffard and Dr. William Hawse disputed causation. SM Herbrina D. Young denied entitlement December 4, 2025. Petition filed March 1, 2018.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2018-03-01","case_summary":"On March 1, 2018, Marcie Unrue filed a petition alleging that a Tdap vaccine administered on May 6, 2017 caused transverse myelitis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. Her prior history included non-Hodgkin lymphoma in remission, hypertension, smoking, and orthopedic/nerve issues.\n\nMs. Unrue developed abrupt neurologic symptoms about two weeks after vaccination, including numbness from the chest down and urinary incontinence. MRI findings supported transverse myelitis, and she was treated with steroids and plasmapheresis. Her course later evolved into recurrent neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, including flares treated with additional immunotherapy such as CellCept, plasmapheresis, and rituximab.\n\nPetitioner relied on neurologist Dr. Fredrick Nahm, who proposed an immune-mediated/molecular mimicry theory linking Tdap to the first demyelinating event and later NMOSD. Respondent relied on neurologist Dr. Marc Bouffard and immunologist Dr. William Hawse. Special Master Herbrina D. Young denied entitlement on December 4, 2025, finding that petitioner had not shown by preponderant evidence that Tdap caused the transverse myelitis or NMOSD.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Herbrina Sanders Young","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":null,"petitioner_attorney_name":"Lawrence R. Cohan","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Saltz Mongeluzzi & Bendesky","petitioner_attorney_location":"Philadelphia, PA","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":null,"attorney_canonical_keys":"|lawrence-cohan|","firm_canonical_key":"saltz-mongeluzzi-and-bendesky","package_title":"UNRUE v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00323","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00323.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00323.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00323-0","title":"UNRUE v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 12/4/25) regarding 90 DECISION of Special Master. Signed by Special Master Herbrina D S Young. (kis) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2025-12-29","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00323/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00323-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":488090,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'decision of special master'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00323/USCOURTS-cofc-1_18-vv-00323-0"}]}